Racing With Pirelli

Whether competing with factory teams at the highest level, or with club drivers on their local circuits, Pirelli can be found at all types of racing venues around the world.In recent years Pirelli has become best known for its activities in sports and gt categories where, in addition to winning many different championships, there has been a very direct technology transfer between P ZERO racing tyres and P Zero road tyres.

RACING News

GP2 SERIES

Pirelli has been exclusive tyre supplier to the GP2 Series since 2011, the collaboration between Pirelli and the GP2 Series continues also in the next few season as Pirelli has been confirmed as the exclusive tyre supplier to the Series.

Launched in 2005, the GP2 Series is a one-make single-seater championship which has become the acknowledged stepping stone to Formula One, aiming to prepare young drivers who aspire to climb their way up to the highest level of motorsport.

Pirelli supplies the GP2 Series with two different types of tyre designed for different types of use: a slick tyre designed for dry surfaces, while the second is for wet surfaces. The sizes are 245/660–13 at the front and 325/660-13 at the rear.

Each car will have five sets of slick tyres and three sets of wet tyres available per race weekend. Three sets of dry tyres will be available in the harder compound and two sets in the softer compound, while the wet tyres will be available in one compound only. The same colour-marking used in Formula Ione will be applied in GP2.

The 2014 season will again see twenty-six drivers competing at the wheel of identical Pirelli-fitted Dallara cars, powered by a V8 Renault engine. A race week-end is made of one 45-minue practice session and one 30-minute qualifying session, followed by two races.

The 2014 calendar is made up of 11 rounds, eight of which will be in Europe and three overseas.

GP3 SERIES

Pirelli has been confirmed as the exclusive tyre supplier to the GP3 Series - a one-make single-seater championship launched in 2010 as a feeder series for the GP2 Series – for the next seasons.

Designed to nurture young driving talent for GP2, the GP3 Series follows the same principles: identical car with single chassis, engine and tyre provider. Technical regulations are strict and tightly controlled to ensure a level playing field. Racing with identical cars and set-ups, it is the driver’s ability and the engineering prowess of the competing teams that make the difference.

Pirelli is introducing brand new front tyres, that will now be in size 250/575-13 while the rear size will remain 290/590-13.

Pirelli supplies the GP3 Series with three types of P Zero slick tyre (hard, medium and soft) – one type of which is nominated for each race weekend – and one pattern of wet weather tyre. Each car has three sets of dry tyres and two sets of wets per weekend, if needed, at its disposal.

The 2014 GP3 calendar is made up of nine rounds taking place over the same race weekends of the Formula One Grand Prix, again starting with the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona in May and finishing with the Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi in November..

PIRELLI EXCLUSIVE TYRE SUPPLIER TO THE BLANCPAIN ENDURANCE SERIES AND THE BLANCPAIN SPRINT SERIES

Pirelli has a long and illustrious history in endurance racing, and has also claimed a huge variety of class wins in GT racing all over the world.

In 2014 Pirelli will continue to be represented in the front line of GT racing as exclusive tyre supplier to the Blancpain GT Series, that includes the Blancpain Endurance Series and the Blancpain Sprint Series, both based on race versions of road-going supercars.

This year’s new GT championships take place over a wide range of circuits. Manufacturers represented include Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, all of which use Pirelli P Zero tyres as original equipment on their road cars.

In both championships Pirelli will supply P Zero GT tyres: DH slicks and WH wet tyres in various 18-inch sizes to best suit each car model, with the exception of Ferrari which uses uses 19-inch tyres on the rear. The tyres, designed bearing in mind car elements such as different wheel size and weight distribution, are homologated for a large number of different car makes. Pirelli has also developed a size (325/660-18) as a front fitment for central and rear engine cars, ensuring a better feel for the driver.

FERRARI CHALLENGE TROFEO PIRELLI

The long partnership between Pirelli and Ferrari in the Ferrari Challenge dates back to the inception of the Series in 1993 with specially prepared 348s. Since then, in fact, Pirelli has always been the exclusive supplier to the series, guaranteeing its attributes of competence and professionalism to Ferrari, the drivers and teams alike.

In 2012 the 458 Challenge debuted in the championship. As well as the F430s Challenge that took part into the championship till last year, also the 458 Challenge is fitted with 19" tyres, an exclusive in the world of competitions: another demonstration of how closely Pirelli's racing developments are connected to their P Zero road tyre product. For the F458 Challenge Pirelli developed slick and wet tyres in dedicated sizes, 255/650-19 at the front and 305/690-19 at the rear.

In 2014 the F458 Challenge EVO will be the model used in the three championship series: Ferrari Challenge Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

Both new and experienced drivers compete in the Ferrari Challenge. The Trofeo Pirelli, as in the past, is destined – with a dedicated classification - to drivers with racing experience.

LAMBORGHINI SUPER TROFEO

In 2009 another important racing collaboration started with a prestigious car manufacturer fitting Pirelli tyres also to their road models: Lamborghini, which launched a series destined for professional and gentlemen drivers, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

The car used in the Series is a derivative of the Gallardo LP570-4 road car, fitted with 18" Pirelli tyres.

This year’s new GT championships take place over a wide range of circuits. Manufacturers represented include Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, all of which use Pirelli P Zero tyres as original equipment on their road cars.

In addition to the established European series - comprising six events, each including two 50-min races, two practices and one qualifying session, to be run on famous European circuits -, and the Asian series started in 2012, in 2013 the Series reached also North America.

MASERATI TROFEO MC WORLD SERIES

Since 2010 Pirelli has been the exclusive tyre supplier also to the Maserati Trofeo GranTurismo MC, the championship destined to gentlemen drivers.

The 2014 World Series will include six events to be held in four continents on prestigious European, US, Chinese and Middle East circuits. All event weekends include three races: two 30’ sprint races and one long race of 60 minutes.

The car used is the Maserati GranTurismo MC, fitted with Pirelli tyres in size 305/660-18 on the front and 325/705-18 on the rear.

At national level Pirelli will continue to supply hundreds of drivers entering domestic circuit racing championships. Here you can find some brief information on our presence in the various countries.

ARGENTINA

The Top Race V6 is considered the most modern category of motor racing in Argentina. The big names of Argentinian motorsport compete in this category. These cars, fitted with tyres in size 285/645-18, have a V6 engine with 350 HP that allow showing drivers qualities and teams track work.

This category is similar to DTM in Germany.

The TC2000 is one of the more traditional categories of Argentina relies on the involvement of the major automakers. With its 410CV, Super TC2000 is the most technology rallty advanced category and the most powerful in South America. All cars use 285/645-18 tyres.

In addition to the TC 2000, the event includes Formula Renault for professional drivers, and Línea Cometizione for gentleman drivers.

AUSTRALIA

Australia GT Championship. Pirelli is the Official Tyre Supplier to the 2014 Australian GT Championship. Australian GT Championship series, modeled on the Blancpain GT3 Championship, showcases the latest GT3 cars using a ‘balance of performance’ system to ensure close competition between the different marques as Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin and other mkes. Australian GT's aim is to provide an arena and atmosphere that gives all competitors a high level of competitive enjoyment that promotes a desire to participate and attracts new competitors.

Porsche GT3 Championship. Pirelli si the Official Tyre Supplier to the Australian Porsche GT3 Championship.This internationally endorsed Porsche series, the GT3 Cup Challenge is a feeder series into the Carrera Cup series. The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli is an affordable, entertaining, competitive and high-exposure series designed to showcase new & upcoming drivers together with more experienced drivers.

BRAZIL

STOCK CAR is the biggest category of Brazilian motorsport. There are around 32 cars vying for the championship in 21 steps in 8 cities of Brazil. The tires used for Stock Car are made in Turkey. For the access category (Brasileiro de Turismo) there are 18 cars on the grid using tyres made in Brasil.

Porsche CUP and Porsche Challenge is the newest competition in which Pirelli is the official tyre supplier for all cars. There are 22 cars in the Cup category and 22 cars in the Challenge category. In total there are 9 races, with 2 international races (Portugal and Argentina) and other 7 rounds in Brazilian territory. All cars are using Pirelli tyres of Turkish origin.

In Lancer Cup we have 25 cars in the category RS and 20 cars in the category Evo. All cars are prepared by the official Mitsubishi team. All cars are using Pirelli tyres from Turkey.

The category "Brasileiro de Marcas" (Brazilian Brands) makes its debut in 2011 using the same patterns as Argentinian TC2000. All 20 cars have the same setup but sponsored by an official brand (Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Renault and others). There are 8 races with 50 min each, running in 7 different Brazilian cities. The tyres used by the "Brasileiro de Marcas" are in size 285/645-18 produced in Brazil.

Considered the largest Formula category in South America, Formula 3 is the traditional school of great drivers. Cars are built with the same materials and technology as Formula 1. The chassis are made of carbon fiber and the cars use tyres 200/540-13 front and 250/575-13 rear produced in Turkey. The championship includes nine events, held at the major racetracks in South America

China

Boss GP:

Since the launch of Race Car Carnival in 2011, as the cooperation partner of Pirelli, Shanghai Unique Motorsport has become one of the most successful organizers of race car motorsport in China. The participants of Boss GP are more than 30.

The complete motorsport product range, excellent performance and professional technical assistance have made Pirelli a reliable partner that ensures the success of the event.

Czech Republic

International Czech Championship:

2014 Czech national formula class up to 1400 ccm is using exclusively Pirelli formula slick tyres on race tracks in Czech, Slovak, Poland, Hungary and Austria in Central European Zone championship.

GERMANY

In 2014 the VLN (Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring) series will include 10 events. With an average of 180 cars, the VLN is the most popular motorsports racing series.

Within VLN series, Pirelli is the official supplier for TMG GT86 Cup, organize by TMG – Toyota Motorsport GmbH.

GREECE

In 2013 Pirelli had a strong presence among all national championships and races with many individual successes. In 2014 Pirelli Greece will continue participating in motor sport championships in the categories of Hill Climbing, Rally and Circuit.

Latvia

Latvia Pirelli tyres are available for national championships and races.

Lithuania

NETHERLAND

Supercar Challenge:

In 2014 Pirelli UK agreed a three year supply to the Supercar Challenge based in Holland with races all over Northern Europe including UK, after twelve years of using other brands Pirelli managed the transition smoothly with all teams complimenting the product.

Supercar Challenge regularly attracts grids of over 60 cars and includes one of the most varied GT grids in Europe.

Norway

Norway Pirelli tyres are available for national championships and races.

Sweden

UK

GT Cup The GT Cup is a sprint racing series that is open to both professional and gentleman drivers that takes place at circuits across the UK. A wide variety of cars are eligible to compete, including the McLaren MP4-12C, Ferrari 458, Audi R8 and the Aston Martin Vantage. There are three classes in the Championship that are based on power to weight ratio.

Ferrari Open The Ferrari Open Championship is open to any Ferrari built since 1990. The championship regularly sees grids in excess of 30 cars that include large numbers of F458, F430 and F360, as well as some of the rarer cars, such as the F40. Pirelli Also supports the Ferrari Formula Classic and the Ferrari Hill climb that are also run by the Ferrari Owners Club of Great Britain.

Mini Challenge Pirelli will be going into its second year as the control tyre of the Mini Challenge. 2014 will see both the Club and the John Cooper Works Classes running on slicks and wets. The Mini Challenge is seen as a great starting point for aspiring young drivers and continues to field strong grids in excess of 30 cars per round.

Porsche Club of Great Britain – Club Championship Pirelli continue to be the control tyre for the Porsche Club GB’s race series, the Club Championship. The series uses slicks and wets utilizing DH and WH compounds and always guarantees exciting close ricing. The Championship sees a variety of cars competing including the 911, Boxster, 968, 924 and 944.

USA

Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy Pirelli Tire North America is the official tire supplier and title sponsor of the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West racing series. This is the premier Porsche Club racing series in the United States, featuring Porsche 911 Cup cars, with the series objective of creating competitive seat time to further educate and develop each driver’s race craft. It also gives owners the unique opportunity to drive their Cup cars on Pirelli P Zero racing slick and on some of the North America’s most evocative racing circuits.

Pirelli World Challenge The Pirelli World Challenge is one of the most prominent production-based SCCA sanctioned championship series in North America. Pirelli is the title sponsor and official tire supplier of the series for all four classes (GT, GTS, TC, TC-B) within the series. This series allows Pirelli a unique exposure to a variety of different manufactures and race teams. Each race is a maximum of 50 minutes in length and all featuring standing starts. Pirelli brings to each race their P Zero racing slick and the P Zero racing rain tire.

Aston Martin GT4 Challenge North America Pirelli has become the official tire sponsor for the GT4 Challenge in North America. This series is made up of gentleman drivers who all compete in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4’s with 445 hp, paddle-shift transmission, aero kit and Pirelli P Zero racing slicks. In addition, Aston Martin Racing offers a unique driver training program to allow gentlemen drivers to develop and enhance their skills on the track. This series allows gentlemen drivers to experience the ultimate racing technical component, the P Zero racing slick. All World Challenge races are a maximum of 50 minutes in length and feature standing starts with popular cars from the world’s leading manufacturers racing head-to-head.

NARRA: US GT Championship and SRT Viper Cup The US GT Championship is open to any GT-style, four-wheel, closed-fender cars that meet the NARRA safety requirements. The sanctioning body separates the cars in the series into four categories based upon a sliding power-to-weight ratio: GT-U, GT-1 and GT-2. Pirelli’s recent involvement in the SRT Viper Cup, mirrors Pirelli’s OE relationship on the STR Viper and Viper GTS. Both vehicles come standard with the P Zero and P Zero Corsa UHP radials. The SRT Viper Cup is a homologated gentlemen’s series, taking place at tracks throughout North America.

Challenge Club Racing The Forza Tifosi Challenge is a partnership between Challenge Club Racing (CCR) and Forza, “The Magazine about Ferrari”. This historic Ferrari Challenge series is a revival of the classic gentleman Ferrari racing series of past years. The races take place at exotic car festivals and as professional support races throughout the United States.